As I prepared to close up the Open House on Sunday a few teenagers showed up. I welcomed them in and thought it was odd that they had no adults with them. An Open House isn't the usual teenage draw.
The property is a builder's model and I invited them to look around. The girls were all giggly and the boy just followed along as if he had no choice in the matter.
When they finished looking at the house they gravitated over to where I had my marketing materials and looked at them as one girl in particular asked me questions about becoming a Realtor. I kept wondering where all this was going and then realized by her responses that she was genuinely interested!
She asked a ton of questions. How long does it take to become a salesperson? Where does one go for the classes? How old does she have to be? How much money can she make? Who makes the pretty flyers? Does my broker find the business for me? (I smiled) What days do I have to work? Who furnishes the homes? As I answered her questions, my responses provided her with even more reasons to ask more questions. We ended up talking a solid 30 minutes about real estate and how it works.
Her enthusiasm was contagious. She had one of the other girls convinced she wanted to become a Realtor as soon as she is old enough to take the test. They still have three years to go though so the interest may wane.
As I took my time to answer her questions genuinely, I found myself listening to my own words and remembering why I chose to go into real estate. I'm not so sure that kid was the only one who needed to hear what I was telling her. I needed to hear what I was telling her. With the present market and the accompanying struggles, I'd be lying if I said I haven't second-guessed my choice to become a real estate agent.
I'm glad those kids showed up and provided a much needed reminder.
Maggie Dokic, SFR is a licensed real estate broker in the state of Florida selling residential real estate in Miami, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Coral Gables, Gables by the Sea, High Pines, the Redland and other select areas of SW Miami-Dade County.
Maggie has earned her SFR certification to be able to better serve the needs of her customers in today's non-traditional real estate market. SFR is a Short Sale, Foreclosure Resource Specialist. Designees have been trained to understand the highly specialized options available to Sellers facing short sales & foreclosures and Buyers looking to buy them.
For more information on our local real estate market, or to see or sell a home in Miami, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Coral Gables or the Redland, visit my Miami Real Estate blog or contact me at Maggie (at) TheBlogThatAteMiami (dot) com.
The opinions expressed herein, are those of the author, and not necessarily of Keller Williams Realty.
None of this information is to be deemed legal or financial advice. Please contact your attorney or accountant for same.
Maggie,
What a great role model you are, I'm sure you left an impression on them as well! :)
Wow, Maggie, what an excellent post! It must have been refreshing to get visitors who are enthusiastic and upbeat as opposed to the sour-faced hyper-critical tire kickers I've been seeing lately! You will have left a great impression on those kids for taking the time to talk to them! I should be so lucky during an open house!
Maggie, great post! Have you ever thought about working with a local hig school's business department? They are always looking for people to partner up and talk about their professions, what it takes, etc. Sometimes, just generally speak about entrepreneurship, interviewing skills, resume writing...I am sure you get the drift. You would be a natural.
Volunteering is also a great way to get your name out there, not that it isn't already :-)
Maggie - What a nice story. Sounds like you really captivatrd that young woman. I find that I often have a similar experience when I spend a lot fo time with new buyers - the educational process is something I enjoy and it always reminds me of why I do what I do and how much I enjoy it.
Thanksfor sharing.
Jeff
that is a great way to pick up an assistant!
if their school has internship opportunities for credits, they often MUST work for no pay but the experience is what they want
Maggie, This is a great post.. I think this is something we should all do once in a while. Ask ourselves why? Nothing feels better for me when I take someone with a bad situation and help them turn it around.
True 5 for me
Please also post this in the positive group
How uplifting! Angels work in mysterious ways, giving us strength and reassurance when we need a little.
Darn...there was a morale to the story.. I thought for sure one was going to distract you while the others did something in one of the rooms or rummage through the medicine cabinets.
Our open houses you have to watch, we have couples that do just that...rummage for prescription pills.
But Maggie, you are a role model. Nice job!
(now go check the bathroom)
Maggie,
She was lucky to run into you - some of the sour grapes types would have thrown them out. Instead, you took time to educate them and convince yourself of your choice to be a Miami Realtor at the same time.
Hi Everyone. I appreciate your stopping by and taking the time to comment. Please forgive this group response.
I really do think I got more than I gave with those 30 minutes. I was reminded that I got into this business for a reason. I got into this business for many reasons, most of them having to do with quality of life, and not money. Although right now the money side of it is hurting due to the market, the other benefits are there. I'm available to my family when they need me and that's worth a lot more than any commission check.
It turned out 2 of the kids live in the house next door and after they left their mother showed up with dinner! Can you believe it?
Now how cool is that???
Our market seems to be getting new life, hopefully yours will be too soon!
Hi! Just in case you didn't see it. Your post was featured in Active Rain's Week in Review 7/29/07-8/5/07, written by Desiree Daniels. Congratulations!
I love the story you told here. Does make you think about how you looked at the world when you were younger. Uh..hum all 30 of my years talking :)
Maggie,
Very upbeat. We aren't seeing too many posts in that vain lately.
Michelle - you're so lucky. My kids kinda sorta try to work with me but they really don't help out much. I wish they would!
Debra - with all your experience to share, I'm sure he'd be great at it!